As part of the ongoing quest of the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, the Hon. Cornelius De Weever, to balance the supply and demand of skilled workers on the labor market of St. Maarten, representatives of the Department of Labor, Labor Affairs Agency and the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) met on July 14, to discuss and agree, on the importance of and the manner in which the three entities will work together.
“The intention is to bridge the gap between the need and the demand on the local labor market by identifying the “need”, providing the skills/training and promoting & mediating employment. The need for social and vocational skill building is apparent and emergent in our society.
“It is therefore imperative that emphasis is placed on vocational advancements and the indisputable link to the local labor market. NIPA is the only Government recognized institute on St. Maarten that offers SBO/MBO Degree courses and professional vocational programs for both youths and adults,” Minister Hon. Cornelius de Weever said on Thursday.